5 Perfume Recommendations for Festive Season

Written by Kristina Kybartaite-Damule

It’s that time of the year when you can truly smell Christmas in the air—festivities are just around the corner.

A fresh Christmas tree in the living room fills the air with its green, woody scent. The warm aroma of ginger cookies wafts through the bakery as you pass by. The sweet fragrance of fluffy panettone tempts you to taste it before Christmas even arrives. The juicy scent of clementines lingers on your hands after enjoying far too many. Hot cocoa or a glass of mulled wine in the evening smells like a seasonal charm. Even the plasticky scent of holiday decorations stirs up excitement and anticipation for the upcoming celebrations.

Let’s not forget the scented candles and special Christmas editions that elevate the festive spirit. Whether it’s the iconic holiday candles from Diptyque, luxurious offerings from Trudon, or more affordable options from Bath & Body Works, these fragrances encapsulate the coziest scents of the season, creating a warm and inviting ambiance.

Winter is also when perfume enthusiasts seek fragrances that are warm, sweet, and comforting. It’s the perfect time to wear intoxicating, vanilla-heavy, spicy scents. For those still searching for their ideal Christmas fragrance, here are five of my favorites.

Xerjoff Starlight

This has been on my Christmas list for years, and it’s not going anywhere. To me, it’s celebrations captured in a bottle—which also looks exceptional. Imagine a generous dose of cardamom blended with almond, cinnamon, and clove, evoking the aroma of a kitchen filled with festive desserts. This joyful composition is followed by a cozy, balsamic, ambery base with a hint of warm cedarwood, making it utterly irresistible.

Scents of Wood Plum in Cognac

This is a perfect pick for those who love warm, boozy fragrances. With notes of plum, Peru balsam, rum, cinnamon, vanilla, vetiver, immortelle, and osmanthus, it strikes a delicate balance between fruity sweetness and intoxicating liquor accords, all layered over a warm, woody base. I’d call it a gourmand for grown-ups.

Nishane Ani

This spicy vanilla is a winter essential for me. With ginger, pink pepper, and cardamom at the top, it initially smells like freshly baked cookies. As it develops, the warm vanilla and benzoin emerge, transforming into a creamy, cocooning, and alluring fragrance. While there’s a hint of green freshness at first, it quickly warms up into a wintery delight.

Thomas De Monaco Raw Gold

This is a unique take on boozy fragrances, with less sweetness and more sensuality. It opens with scents of whiskey, honey, lipstick, warm suede leather, and vanilla. The bitter woods, dusty iris, and sweet hint of benzoin create a seductive yet cozy and slightly nostalgic scent. It’s the perfect choice for a date night by the fireplace on a frosty evening.

Goldfield & Banks Silky Woods Elixir

This is a remarkable woody vanilla fragrance where dark oud blends seamlessly with almost chocolaty sweetness. Balsamic undertones and rich vanilla give it a festive feel, while ambroxan and woody accords add sophistication. It’s an excellent pick for a winter cocktail party.